Reviews from

Free Verse Collection

Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Going Home"
A collection of free verse poems

48 total reviews 
Comment from Susan X Smith
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

As usual, your writing is quite elegant. I especially liked the last verse, although it did mystify. What was the penitence about, I wondered. Was it just part of a general regret? Anyway, I enjoyed reading this one.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    Thank you so much for your kind words, Susan, and for the sixth star. Greatly appreciated. I changed that last line several times. Apart from being a time for joy at the Advent season, Rose Sunday is also a time of repentance. However, as your comment suggests, it doesn't really fit with the tone of the poem, so I've altered it again. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from pome lover
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Lovely, lovely, lovely!
You are a gifted poet - your words bring a smile of appreciation to the reader's face - at least to mine. You also taught me something. I was not familiar with Gaudete Sunday.
Thank you for a most enjoyable read.
pome lover

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    Thank you so much for your kind words, pome lover, and for the sixth star. Greatly appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
reply by pome lover on 09-May-2020
    you are most welcome.
Comment from Mistydawn
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a beautifully written poem about childhood memories and family traditions. Your great word choice, description paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Nicely done. Good luck with your contest.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 10-May-2020
    Thank you for your very kind words and complimentary review, Dawn. Much appreciated. Tony
Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Visionary memoir! Excellent free verse with biographical experience shared, with free flow of thoughts, good word visuals and imagery; well said, well done; enjoyed the read; thanks for sharing this; keep posting. Good luck. ALCREATOR

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    Thank you so much for your review and good luck wishes, Alcreator. Appreciated, as always. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Marjon van Bruggen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Excellent free verse poem. "I see the lithesome hips of roses..." beautiful!. The carefully and melodic choice of words, the flow, and cadence make this free verse a pleasure to read aloud.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    Thank you so much for your kind words, Marjon. Appreciated, as always. Best wishes, Tony
reply by Marjon van Bruggen on 09-May-2020
    Welcome!
reply by Marjon van Bruggen on 09-May-2020
    Welcome!
Comment from Mrs. KT
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Good Morning, Tony!
All out of sixes, but this offering deserves those stars and more.
Admittedly, I grew up in the Catholic faith, yet I do not know of "Rose Sunday."
The following stanza is particularly moving for both its emotive and visual imagery:
I see the lithesome hips of rose,
a blackbird poised
on rusted rail of iron
entwined with old man's beard,
and bones long gone.
The church bell chimes.

I grew up across from a two-hundred-year old cemetery. I cannot begin to remember the number of hours I spent there - walking among its pathways and contemplating about the lives once lived: on chiselled names of those
who passed this way before...

A moving offering, Tony...
Thank you for sharing!

diane
The church bell chimes.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    Thank you so much for your kind words, Diane. We lived a couple of hundred yards from this cemetery. It was part of my childhood, even before my grandparents were laid to rest there. Best wishes, Tony
reply by Mrs. KT on 09-May-2020
    Beautiful poem, Tony, as was "Wonder Lost." You have an incredible gift of expression.

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend...
    diane
reply by the author on 09-May-2020
    You, too, Diane. Many thanks.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed reading your contest entry. You are a fantastic author. I remember your wonderful novel, that I can't wait for your next one, but you are not proving yourself a poet. Wow!! Good luck with the contest.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 08-May-2020
    Thanks for your kind words, Barbara. I've spent a lot of time revising and editing my novel but am giving it a rest for a while, hoping to come back to the task with a fresh eye.
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A beautiful offering for the contest, Tony, that gives the reader a taste of the nostalgia that you feel with your 'of' phrases rather than the modern take (hips of rose, rail of iron) and a feel for the forgiveness you come here sinking through personification and metaphor... well done, sir! ;) Thanx for sharing and best of luck! ;)

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020


reply by the author on 08-May-2020
    Thanks so much for your kind words and good luck wishes, Yvette.